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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

New Jersey vs New Mexico Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $238 less state income tax a year in New Mexico than in New Jersey, which is about $20 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,348 in favor of New Mexico.

New Jersey: up to 10.75%New Mexico: up to 5.9%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare New Jersey and New Mexico for your income

Estimate for education only, not tax advice. 2026 federal and state rules, standard deductions, no local taxes. How we calculate.

State comparison

Comparing 2 states, sorted by lowest overall tax rate.

1New Mexico

Lowest

21.0%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$2,359
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$15,767
Net income (annual)
$59,233

2New Jersey

21.3%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$2,598
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$16,005
Net income (annual)
$58,995

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💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

New Mexico

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,314
Monthly take-home$4,936

New Jersey

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,334
Monthly take-home$4,916

Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.

New Jersey vs New Mexico: how the two systems differ

New JerseyNew Mexico
Wage income taxProgressive, 7 bracketsProgressive, 6 brackets
Top rate10.75%5.9%
Lowest rate1.4%1.5%
Deductions and credits (single)$1,000 personal exemption$16,100 standard deduction

State income tax and take-home pay at every salary

The same salary can leave you with different take-home pay depending on the state. This table applies each state’s 2026 rules to a single filer with no pre-tax contributions.

IncomeNJ state taxNM state taxDifferenceNJ take-homeNM take-home
$30,000$438$351$86 less in New Mexico$25,848$25,934
$40,000$683$753$70 less in New Jersey$33,638$33,567
$50,000$1,215$1,184$31 less in New Mexico$41,140$41,171
$60,000$1,768$1,654$114 less in New Mexico$48,622$48,736
$75,000$2,598$2,359$238 less in New Mexico$58,995$59,233
$100,000$4,182$3,569$613 less in New Mexico$74,998$75,611
$150,000$7,367$6,019$1,348 less in New Mexico$106,424$107,772
$250,000$13,737$11,158$2,579 less in New Mexico$169,445$172,024

Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.

Married filing jointly

IncomeNJ state taxNM state taxDifferenceNJ take-homeNM take-home
$75,000$1,400$1,429$29 less in New Jersey$63,223$63,193
$100,000$2,640$2,576$65 less in New Mexico$82,070$82,134
$150,000$5,405$4,961$444 less in New Mexico$117,780$118,224
$250,000$11,759$9,861$1,897 less in New Mexico$185,709$187,607

Married filing jointly, 2026, federal standard deduction. Uses each state's joint brackets where they differ.

Does the lower-tax state change as income rises?

For a single filer, New Mexico is the lower-tax state up to roughly $35,000 of income, and New Jersey becomes the lower-tax state above that. The order flips again near $47,500, so the better state depends on where your income falls.

Rates side by side

New Jersey (single filers)

1.4%Up to $20,000
1.75%$20,001 to $35,000
3.5%$35,001 to $40,000
5.53%$40,001 to $75,000
6.37%$75,001 to $500,000
8.97%$500,001 to $1,000,000
10.75%Over $1,000,000

New Mexico (single filers)

1.5%Up to $5,500
3.2%$5,501 to $16,500
4.3%$16,501 to $33,500
4.7%$33,501 to $66,500
4.9%$66,501 to $210,000
5.9%Over $210,000

Full details for each state: New Jersey income tax calculator and New Mexico income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.

New Jersey vs New Mexico FAQ

Which has lower income tax, New Jersey or New Mexico?+

New Mexico is lower at $75,000: $2,359 of state income tax versus $2,598 in New Jersey. At $150,000 it is $7,367 in New Jersey and $6,019 in New Mexico. For a single filer, New Mexico is the lower-tax state up to roughly $35,000 of income, and New Jersey becomes the lower-tax state above that. The order flips again near $47,500, so the better state depends on where your income falls.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in New Jersey versus New Mexico?+

A single filer keeping $74,998 a year in New Jersey would keep $75,611 in New Mexico after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $613 a year, or $51 a month.

How do the New Jersey and New Mexico income tax systems differ?+

New Jersey uses progressive rates up to 10.75%; New Mexico uses progressive rates up to 5.9%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this New Jersey vs New Mexico comparison?+

No. It covers federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state income tax only. City, county, sales and property taxes are not included, and they can change the real cost of living in each state.

Should I move from New Jersey to New Mexico to save on taxes?+

State income tax is one cost among many. Property and sales taxes, housing, insurance and wages also differ, and you may owe tax to both states in the year you move. Use this comparison as one input and confirm details with a tax professional.

Sources

Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.

More state comparisons

Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.